Have you been thinking about purchasing a new HVAC system but are wondering what exactly is covered by your home warranty should issues arise with the unit? Perhaps you have already had your system for a little while, have been encountering problems, and are not sure if your particular circumstance falls under a home warranty.
Whatever the case may be, understanding what types of HVAC situations are protected under your home warranty is important for peace of mind and ensuring you are getting the most out of your warranty plan.
Choosing the Right Warranty Plan
It is important to note that a home warranty plan is not likely to cover all of the costs associated with your HVAC system. It is best to think of it more as a discount plan. There can be a lot of frustration associated with not understanding exactly what your home warranty will cover for you, so if you currently have a home warranty plan, we encourage you to ask your home warranty provider directly in order to be certain.
If you are in the process of selecting a plan and want your HVAC system covered, you will want to pick either a plan that covers systems or a combination plan that handles both appliances and systems. Often, home warranty providers offer plans that only cover appliances, and these types of packages will not cover your HVAC.
What a Home Warranty Will Likely Cover for Your HVAC
Home warranties can vary, but, in general, a home warranty package that covers systems typically will cover the various components of your central air conditioning and heating systems. Examples of these types of components include wall heaters, water heaters, and forced air. It is also typical for your home warranty to cover the ductwork and its associated components.
What a Home Warranty Will Not Likely Cover
One thing to be aware of is that a home warranty will not cover portable air conditioners. So, if you have a window unit, it is important to understand that it will not be covered as part of your warranty package.
A home warranty will also not typically cover weather-related damage. For example, if there is a storm that damages a tree that then falls on your AC unit, it will not likely be covered by your home warranty. If you have a home insurance policy, situations like this will often be covered under that policy.
Also, it should be clear that your warranty is only going to cover repairs that come from normal wear and tear. Damage resulting from negligence is not going to be generally covered by your home warranty. Your warranty will also not cover preexisting conditions. This means that if there was an issue prior to your warranty taking effect, addressing that problem will not be covered under the package. Further, any problems that arise during the waiting period before your policy is active are not generally covered, either.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Since a typical home warranty package that covers HVAC systems only handles repairs and replacements due to regular wear and tear, it is necessary for you to properly maintain your system. Not only does this extend the life of your HVAC system, but it also minimizes the amount of out-of-pocket expenses you are likely to incur when a problem arises. With regular maintenance, you can have the assurance that any issue that comes up will not be due to your negligence.
It is recommended that you schedule maintenance of your HVAC system with every season change. A professional HVAC technician can find any trouble areas that can emerge from extremely warm or cold weather.
Part of proper maintenance of your HVAC system involves regular cleaning of the coils and ductwork. This and the clearing of any debris around your unit helps keep it running properly.
You should keep all records and receipts of any regular maintenance work that a professional does for your HVAC system. You can also keep a personal log and photographs of when you clean your system. Together, these help maintain a paper trail so that you can show that any issues that arise are normal wear and tear and should fall within the coverage of your home warranty.
What to Expect From Your Home Warranty Provider
Repair or Replacement
It is worth noting that you may not be given a choice from your home warranty provider as to whether to have your HVAC system replaced or repaired. It is often the case that the provider will opt to have your unit repaired instead of replaced in order to save money. This is because it is often cheaper for the provider to have the unit repaired several times as opposed to getting you a new system. This, of course, can wind up being more expensive for you in the long run, especially if your warranty plan dictates that you have to shell out money for a copay, the cost of maintenance, diagnostic repair, or a portion of the repair cost.
Your Home Warranty Provider Often Chooses Who Services Your HVAC
When you have an HVAC malfunction and need a professional, it is often the case that your home warranty provider will select the contractor that will be doing the repair. This will often be because the provider can have contracts with technicians who have less experience and therefore will have a reimbursement rate that is lower than the standard market rate.
If you want to be able to have a bit more control in the selection process of who is going to work on your HVAC system, you could request that the home warranty provider furnish you with a list of the contractors in your area that they work with. You can see the kind of ratings they have online and ask that your home warranty provider go with your choice from the list.
To minimize having to deal with the ins and outs of what a home warranty provider will do for your HVAC system and how they will go about doing it, it is in your best interest to stay on top of regular maintenance. At Texas Pride Heating & Air, we have a wealth of experience in providing regular maintenance for HVAC systems. Along with routine maintenance, we can address all of your repair and installation needs.
If you have a home warranty and are wondering exactly what it covers for your HVAC system, be sure to contact the provider and get as much detailed information as you can. In order to make sure that your home warranty will cover the wear and tear costs of your HVAC, get in touch with Texas Pride Heating & Air today to schedule a routine maintenance appointment.
